Egg-cellent plan brings Easter joy to Havering families

St Laurence Lodge hatches a community partnership to deliver Easter cheer, activities and vital support to families in need

In the spirit of one of Freemasonry’s most enduring principles, charity, the members of St Laurence Lodge No. 5511 that meet at the Upminster Masonic Centre have turned compassion into action, demonstrating how modern Freemasonry continues to make a meaningful difference within local communities.

Inspired by a desire to deepen their community engagement, the Lodge led by Lee Britton, worked closely with the charity Family Action in conjunction with Havering (Marshalls) Primary Care Network (PCN) which provide vital Social Prescribing Services from Raphael House in Romford. These services support individuals and families facing a wide range of challenges, including financial hardship, homelessness, domestic abuse and social isolation.

Through conversations with Melissa, Family Action’s Social Prescribing Service Manager, Lodge members identified a simple yet powerful need: many children in the area would go without Easter eggs and have limited access to activities during the school holidays. From this, an idea began to take shape. The Lodge ‘hatched’ a plan not only to provide Easter eggs, but to help create a memorable and engaging holiday experience for local families.

The response from Lodge members was immediate and generous. Coordinated by Charity Steward Dean Richardson more than 55 Easter eggs were donated through the Lodge. What began as a straightforward act of giving soon blossomed into something much larger. Thanks to the scale of the donation, Family Action was able to transform the initiative into a full Easter event, complete with an egg-hunt and obstacle course for children attending the service.

Raphael House became a vibrant hub of activity and support. Alongside the celebrations, health professionals from Marshalls PCN used the opportunity to engage with families on important health matters, including raising awareness around vaccinations and immunisations.

Melissa and her team thanked the St Laurence Lodge for their generous donation and for those present, the impact was clear. Lodge members saw first-hand the difference their contributions had made, not just in providing treats, but in creating moments of joy and connection for families who might otherwise have gone without.

St Laurence Lodge’s initiative reflects a broader truth about Freemasonry today: it’s increasingly looking outward, staying true to its core values, while building partnerships with charities, healthcare providers and community organisations to respond directly to local needs. By working collaboratively, St Laurence Lodge has shown that even a small idea, carefully nurtured, can grow into something truly special.

Footnote: Following a further donation earlier in the year by the St Laurence Lodge, Melissa and the team have further planned to hold a summer fete later in the year.

To read more about Family Action Marshalls PCN click this link to their website: https://family-action.org.uk/services/

Photos:

Top: St Laurence Lodge members L-R Peter Wilks, Dean Richardson, Mark Zetter

Below: Lodge members with members of the Family Action, Marshalls PCN team